US 11,957,318 B2
Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear nose and throat
Joshua Makower, Los Altos, CA (US); John Y. Chang, Los Altos, CA (US); Ketan P. Muni, San Jose, CA (US); John H. Morriss, Emerald Hills, CA (US); Hung V. Ha, San Jose, CA (US); Isaac J. Kim, San Jose, CA (US); and Julia D. Vrany, Los Altos, CA (US)
Assigned to Acclarent, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed by Acclarent, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/243,669.
Application 17/243,669 is a continuation of application No. 15/803,106, filed on Nov. 3, 2017, granted, now 11,019,989.
Application 15/803,106 is a continuation of application No. 14/568,498, filed on Dec. 12, 2014, abandoned.
Application 14/568,498 is a continuation of application No. 11/193,020, filed on Jul. 29, 2005, abandoned.
Application 11/193,020 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/150,847, filed on Jun. 10, 2005, granted, now 7,803,150, issued on Sep. 28, 2010.
Application 11/150,847 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/116,118, filed on Apr. 26, 2005, granted, now 7,720,521, issued on May 18, 2010.
Application 11/116,118 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/944,270, filed on Sep. 17, 2004, abandoned.
Application 10/944,270 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/829,917, filed on Apr. 21, 2004, granted, now 7,654,997, issued on Feb. 2, 2010.
Prior Publication US 2021/0315448 A1, Oct. 14, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 1/233 (2006.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01); A61B 1/018 (2006.01); A61B 1/267 (2006.01); A61B 17/24 (2006.01); A61B 17/28 (2006.01); A61B 17/34 (2006.01); A61B 34/20 (2016.01); A61B 90/50 (2016.01); A61M 29/02 (2006.01); A61B 1/005 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 1/233 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00135 (2013.01); A61B 1/018 (2013.01); A61B 1/267 (2013.01); A61B 17/24 (2013.01); A61B 17/2804 (2013.01); A61B 17/282 (2013.01); A61B 17/3421 (2013.01); A61B 34/20 (2016.02); A61B 90/50 (2016.02); A61M 29/02 (2013.01); A61B 1/0051 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3445 (2013.01); A61B 2017/3447 (2013.01); A61B 2034/2051 (2016.02); A61B 2034/2055 (2016.02); A61B 2034/2065 (2016.02); A61B 2090/063 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0811 (2016.02); A61B 90/361 (2016.02); A61B 2090/376 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3941 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3954 (2016.02); A61M 2029/025 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0681 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of using an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a shaft configured to fit in a nasal cavity of a patient, the shaft being configured to form a bend and maintain a selected bend angle at the bend while being inserted into the nasal cavity;
(b) a balloon positioned at a distal end of the shaft, the balloon defining a distal end and a proximal end along the shaft, the balloon being configured to transition between a non-inflated state and an inflated state, the balloon in the non-inflated state being configured to fit in a passageway associated with a nasal sinus cavity, the balloon in the inflated state being configured to dilate the passageway associated with the nasal sinus cavity; and
(c) a first position sensor positioned within the balloon, the first position sensor being operable for generating a signal indicating a position of the balloon within the nasal cavity of the patient;
the method comprising:
(a) inserting the shaft into the nasal cavity while the balloon is in the non-inflated state;
(b) positioning the balloon in the passageway associated with the nasal sinus cavity; and
(c) transitioning the balloon from the non-inflated state to the inflated state, such that the balloon in the inflated state dilates the passageway associated with the nasal sinus cavity.